Written Answers Nos. 1560-1579
1560. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to address the call in the Inshore Fishing: Motion (Private Members) of 25 January 2023 immediately to allocate funds from the available EMFAF, to provide direct financial support to the Irish inshore fleet, which makes up 91 per cent of Ireland's fishing fleet [13048/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December last year I was pleased to announce that Ireland’s EMFAF Seafood Development Programme had been adopted by EU Commission. This new programme consists of funding up to €258.4 million, which includes a €134 million EU contribution and a Government of Ireland contribution of €116 million.
Small scale coastal fisheries are called out for special attention within the new programme. For the inshore sector and wider fisheries sector, the Programme will provide for continued support for capital investment on board, capital investment ashore relating to the landing obligation, innovation in fishing gear and methods, technical advice to the fleet, acquisition of first vessel by young fishers, supports to the inshore fleet, training, and marketing, as well as public interest projects which will help the inshore sector to develop in a sustainable manner.
The precise nature of schemes and how they are delivered will be developed during the first half of this year. Any schemes or projects put forward for support will have to be assessed in respect of eligibility and in accordance with all relevant EU regulations and guidelines.
Input from stakeholders is also important as part of the process of scheme development and implementation. As during the development of the Programme, inshore fishers will have a voice in the implementation of the Programme through their participation in the Programme’s Monitoring Committee.
In addition to the opportunities for the inshore sector contained in the EMFAF programme €500,000 has been invested in 2023 in an Inshore Marketing Scheme which is delivered by Bord Bia to promote sales of stocks of interest to inshore fishermen, in order to boost prices at the quayside. The plan focuses on supporting the sales and promotion of inshore species such as Irish crab, lobster, whelks, inshore herring/mackerel and line caught hake and pollock on both the domestic and export markets. €1 million in funding has been provided between 2022 and 2023 on this initiative.
1561. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide further funding from EU Brexit funding to support the inshore fishing sector. [13049/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, I established the Seafood Task Force to examine the implications of the EU/UK Trade & Cooperation Agreement (TCA) for the Fishing Industry and Coastal Communities and to consider initiatives and make recommendations to address those implications. The Task Force had among its members representatives of the inshore sector including the Irish Islands Marine Resource Organisation (IIMRO) and the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF). Their participation ensured that the industry shaped the recommendations according to their needs and the difficulties that they faced.
Based on the recommendations of the Task Force, I introduced a number of schemes to support the inshore sector directly and other schemes to benefit the seafood sector as a whole. These included the Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme to assist inshore fishers to adapt their business operations to the post Brexit environment. Under this scheme 800 eligible inshore fishers were provided with online training modules and awarded supports of between €2,700 and €4,000 each.
I also announced the Brexit Inshore Marketing Scheme, based on another Task Force recommendation. This scheme which operated over 2022 and is continuing into 2023 is delivered by Bord Bia to promote sales of stocks of interest to inshore fishermen, in order to boost prices at the quayside. The plan focuses on supporting the sales and promotion of inshore species such as Irish crab, lobster, whelks, inshore herring/mackerel and line caught hake and pollock on both the domestic and export markets. €1 million in funding has been provided.
I am continuing to address the recommendations on a phased and prioritised basis as recommended by the Task Force, and evaluate these in respect of State Aid rules and EU guidelines on the use of Brexit Adjustment Reserve Funding.
1562. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the current situation regarding a basic payment to a farmer (details supplied) in County Cork. [13076/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above named person had a cross-compliance inspection in 2022 and following that inspection, certain parcels which he had declared as eligible on his application were deemed ineligible. This inspection had two separate impacts on his payments.
Firstly, he received a 25% penalty on his BPS payment under cross-compliance rules. Separately the parcels that were deemed ineligible caused a further reduction and an administrative penalty on his BPS payment.
The applicant requested an eligibility review of these parcels. This review deemed the parcels eligible for BPS only but not ANC. A letter issued to him outlining the outcome of this review and advising him of his right to appeal with the Agriculture Appeals Office.
My Department have now processed the outcome of this review and the appropriate payment has issued to the person named. The right of appeal is still open to him if he is dissatisfied with the decision.
1563. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the details of funding allocations made to date under the BREXIT Adjustment Reserve Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) provides financial support to the most affected Member States to counter the adverse economic, social, territorial and, where appropriate, environmental consequences of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU.
Expenditure under the Reserve must demonstrate a direct link to the negative impact of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and failure to do so will see the European Commission deem expenditure ineligible.
In 2022, €40m was allocated for Brexit related purposes for the fisheries sector (€33.2m), the horticultural sector (€1.5m), and €5.3m was provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing. The latter scheme will support investments aimed at product and market diversification.
In 2023, €238m is allocated for Brexit related purposes, including further supports for the fisheries sector (€162.15m), the horticultural sector (€9.85m). €17 million is provided to fund an Enterprise Ireland capital investment scheme for meat and dairy processing;
In addition, €20m has been allocated to develop facilities for the disposal of meat and bone meal by-product and €28m has been allocated for a Brexit beef scheme and my officials are currently considering the design of this scheme.
My Department is actively considering other proposals, and in this regard is working closely with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform to maximise the funding from BAR that is available to the various sectors that come under the remit of my Department.
1564. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will give an up-date on the closure of mink farms in the country; if he can confirm that all mink have been euthanised; the date by which this was achieved; the reason for the delay in paying compensation arising from this; and if he will make a comprehensive statement on the matter including the overall cost envisaged to the State. [13223/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Animal Health and Welfare and Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, provides for the statutory prohibition of fur farming. The commencement order was dated the 9th December 2022 and it has been confirmed that there are no live mink on any of the concerned premises. I appointed an assessor on the 6th December 2022 to administer the compensation scheme in respect of the closure of the businesses. To date, applications have been received from two of the three businesses affected by the ban on mink farming. The assessor is currently examining these applications and is expected to make a decision shortly in respect of certain compensation headings (e.g. loss of income). The compensation amounts under other headings (e.g. demolition) will take more time for farmers to carry out the work and submit applications in accordance with the compensation scheme. The overall cost of compensation package is not available at this time.
1565. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will outline the eligibility for the new TB compensation rates; if owners of all herds undergoing a breakdown for which compensation rates have not yet been paid are entitled to the revised scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13315/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the work of the TB Forum, a dedicated Financial Working Group comprising representatives from my Department and the farming organisations was set up to review the current financial model of the TB programme under the chairmanship of Mr Gerry Kiely.
The TB Forum concluded agreement on proposed changes to compensation criteria proposed by the Financial Working Group of the Forum on increased Income Supplement, Hardship Grant and Depopulation Grant rates and a transitional Animal Health Law support with effect from 1st February. Existing rates are still in place whilst changes to IT systems are put in place; any supplementary compensation due will be backdated in due course.
Changes in relation to the On Farm Market Valuation scheme include the pedigree cows and pedigree in calf heifers ceiling to be aligned with pedigree bulls ceiling of €5,000 and the maximum number of eligible pedigree bulls in increased to three.
The main changes in the eligibility criteria include that Income Supplement will now apply from date of restriction, the rates payable for dairy and suckler cows are variable and will be tracked to the date of calving to ensure income supplement is targeted at the times of greatest need . In relation to Hardship Grant scheme the main changes is the removal of the Off Farm Income limit and that support under this scheme will be targeted at herdowners who have more animals during the winter period as a result of a restriction and being unable to sell animals. This scheme provides a contribution towards the cost of carrying additional animals over the winter period as a result of restriction. Updated Terms and Conditions will be available shortly.
I thank Gerry Kiely for his dedication and work with discussions over the course of the two years as Chairperson of the Financial Working Group.
The changes to the above schemes are subject to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sanction and my Department will put these in place subject to this sanction being received
1566. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated capital and current costs that would be required if his Departmental officials were present at Dublin Airport between the hours of 8am and 11pm, seven days a week. [13350/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provides a thirteen and a half hour service, seven days a week in Dublin Airport. Department officials are present between 7:30am and 9:00pm, Monday to Sunday. They provide a range of services including inspections on imports from non-EU countries and compliance checks on pets before they can move freely in Ireland.
Travellers coming from outside the EU with their pets are required to notify my officials in advance their arrival. If they choose to arrive outside of operating hours, an on-call service is available through a private operator who conducts compliance checks on behalf of the department. A small number of travellers use this out-of-hours service annually.
The opening hours of the DAFM operation at Dublin Airport are kept under review. Whilst an extension to opening hours would not have any capital implications, it would have current cost implications, requiring my Department to employ more staff at an increased cost to the Exchequer. As to date, my Department has not received any formal request to extend the opening hours at Dublin Airport, and therefore an evaluation of additional staffing needs and associated costs has not been undertaken.
1567. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a late application will be accepted for the ACRES scheme on exceptional circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13360/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed €1.5 billion to ACRES over its duration with the aim of facilitating the participation of 50,000 farmers. This is a significant number so the intake into the scheme is being phased, with at least two tranches. Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022 and closed Wednesday 7th December 2022 and all interested farmers were encouraged to apply. The closing was extended by two weeks to accommodate late applications.
The scheme received over 46,000 applicants. All valid applications submitted for Tranche 1 have been accepted into the Scheme, and farmers are currently receiving their formal notifications.
Tranche 1 is now closed for applications. For those farmers who were not in a position to apply for the Scheme in Tranche 1, they will have an opportunity to apply for it in Tranche 2. It is proposed that Tranche 2 will open for applications later this year with contracts in that Tranche to commence from 1 January 2024.
1568. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline of payments to farmers across all agri-schemes under the remit of his Department for 2023; if these payments will be made in the same timeframe as in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13391/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1569. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments of the areas of natural constraints scheme will be made to applicants in 2023; if these payments will be made in the same timeframe as in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13392/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1570. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payments of the basic income support for sustainability will be made to applicants in 2023; if these payments will be made in the same timeframe as its predecessor the basic payment scheme in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13393/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1568, 1569 and 1570 together.
I know how crucial all payments are to our farm families and I am committed to delivering all payments associated with my Department as quickly as possible.
The new CAP 2023 -2027 came into force this year and payments will commence in the final quarter of the year across a very broad range of schemes.
With this being the first year of the new CAP Strategic Plan, a whole range of new schemes are being introduced along with substantial changes to existing schemes over a relatively short time period.
I am fully committed to making payments to farmers under the various schemes at the earliest date possible and to the maximum number of farmers possible. My commitment to farmers is evidenced in the very high payment rates achieved across all schemes over the last number of years in both EU and Exchequer funded schemes.
Almost €1.8bn will be paid to farmers across the country during this period. At EU level, Ireland ranks amongst the most efficient Member States in getting payments to farmers expediently and in line with the legal requirements of relevant attendant EU Regulation.
The new CAP represents a significant evolution of the policy compared to previous iterations. It needs to be clearly understood by all stakeholders that the new CAP introduced a whole new delivery model and established several new schemes. In 2023, the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is replaced by the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS).
While payment will still be paid based on Payment Entitlements, there are substantial changes to the BISS compared to the BPS, including very positive changes to land eligibility and a new active farmer check.
The land eligibility rules have changes from the previous CAP, to allow scheme payments on greater areas of scrub and other areas deemed beneficial for the climate and environment. The active farmer check is being introduced to ensure the person receiving the scheme payments is the person farming the land. These are all important changes, which will benefit farmers. An advance payment for BISS is expected to be paid on 24 October 2023, in line with the mid-October payment date in previous years.
The other schemes connected to the BISS include:
- The Complementary Redistributive Income Support for Sustainability (CRISS), which is a completely new scheme in 2023. It is commonly known as front-loading. An advance payment for the new CRISS is expected to be paid on 24 October 2023, along with the BISS payment.
- The new Eco Scheme, which replaces many elements of the old Greening Scheme but is essentially a new annual agri-environment scheme starting in 2023. It is designed with a menu of actions so as to make it attractive to as many farmers as possible. An advance payment for the new Eco-scheme is expected to be paid on 31 October 2023.
- Balancing payments for BISS, CRISS and the Eco scheme are expected to issue in December 2023, the same timeline as previous years.
- The Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers (CIS-YF), which replaces the Young Farmer Scheme in 2023. The CIS-YF payment is expected to be paid in December, the same timeline as previous years.
- The Protein Aid Scheme, which is an existing scheme and is largely unchanged in 2023. The Protein Aid Scheme payment is expected to be paid in December, the same timeline as previous years.
- The Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC), which is an existing scheme but with significant changes to the stocking rate requirement in 2023. The ANC scheme payment is expected to be paid on 17 October, instead of the previous September payment date.
- The Straw Incorporation Measure (SIM), which was a pilot scheme in 2021 & 2022 and is largely unchanged in 2023. The SIM scheme payment is expected to be paid in December, the same timeline as previous years.
- The annual claims for new Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the expanded Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) are also made through the BISS application. The ACRES and OFS payments are expected to be paid in November 2023. I was delighted to announce at the end of February, that all valid applications from the 46,000 applications submit would be accepted into the Scheme in 2023.
In addition, the mechanisms used by my Department to check the scheme requirements for many of the schemes are also changing in 2023, especially with the mandatory introduction of the Area Monitoring System as required under EU regulations. The Area Monitoring System has many significant benefits for Irish farmers including a reduction in the number of on-farm physical inspections and the introduction of warning alerts to farmers so as to minimise the occurrence of non-compliances, allowing farmers to correct mistakes and giving farmers and advisors more time to respond to queries with no impact on their payment. I am also mindful of the substantial workload of advisors in 2023, including the ACRES scorecards, over the summer months
It should also be noted that the closing date for the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) and other area-based schemes applications (including the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme) is Monday 29 May 2023, two weeks later than previous years and thereby providing farmers and advisors more time to understand the new scheme requirements and to submit their applications before the closing date.
The timelines for all schemes, including the planned payment dates, have been set taking account of the impact of introducing a whole suite of new schemes, new applications systems, new monitoring systems, new validation and processing systems and new payment systems. These changes were brought about as a result of the move from the out-going CAP to the new CAP Strategic Plan. The implementation of the range of new schemes and the substantial changes to existing schemes is a big challenge for my Department, for farmers and for Advisors. The scheme implementation timelines, including closing dates and payments dates, is an ambitious timeline, and it will require intensive and focused effort from all concerned to ensure that payments can be made in the October - December period.
I remain fully committed to making the maximum number of payments at the earliest date possible, and in the context of the changes as advised above, everybody needs to be realistic about what can be achieved and when. My Department is currently in talks with the Farm Bodies with a view to agreeing a new Farmers' Charter which includes, amongst other issues, setting realistic and achievable payment targets. Two meetings have been held to date and the next meeting is scheduled for early April for further discussions.
1571. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of agricultural inspectorate staff that have training in relation to human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators; to what level this training is provided; if this training is provided on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13437/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of specialised training is made available across the range of grades within my Department (Administrative, Agricultural, Engineering, Forestry, IT, Laboratory, Technical and Veterinary). The identification of this training is based on the knowledge and skills required to perform a particular role. My Department has not provided training to date to Agricultural Inspectorate staff on human trafficking awareness or human trafficking indicators.
1572. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a person (details supplied) whose REAP scheme ended in January 2023 can apply for the ACRES scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13446/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved for the Results-Based Environment-Agri Pilot Project (REAP) with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2021. I can confirm that the REAP contract of the person named ended 31st December 2022. The final REAP payment issued to the person named 19th December 2022.
The Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) is the agri-environment climate measure in Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023 – 2027. It is a voluntary scheme whereby farmers, when approved into the Scheme, will undertake certain environmental actions on their land for at least five years.
Tranche 1 of ACRES opened for applications on Monday 17th October 2022 and all interested farmers were encouraged to apply. The scheme remained open for applications until 23:59 on Wednesday December 7th. The scheme received over 46,000 applicants. All valid applications submitted for Tranche 1 have been accepted into the Scheme, and farmers have recently received their formal notifications. All REAP participants were eligible to apply to ACRES.
Tranche 1 is now closed for applications, however the option to apply for Tranche 2 will be open to all eligible farmers. It is anticipated that Tranche 2 will open for applications later this year with contracts in that Tranche to commence from 1 January 2024.
1573. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 706 of 7 March 2023, if he will clarify a number of matters relating to forestry (details supplied). [13456/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to re-iterate that I am acutely aware of the cash-flow difficulties being experienced by some registered foresters and to repeat that the role of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is focused on maximising the volume of work available while continuing our intensive efforts to secure State Aid approval for the most comprehensive and attractive forestry programme ever.
The legal framework and role of my Department is to encourage, facilitate and regulate afforestation and ancillary works amongst farmers and other landowners and this is done through our forestry programme and currently under our interim schemes via general de minimis. In my earlier reply to your question, I indicated that flexibilities in the operation of the interim schemes had been announced as well as an additional interim scheme for ash dieback which was announced last week. This scheme has attractive additional features for the landowner and registered forester alike.
My Department has been in contact with representatives of the forestry industry in relation to discussions by Minister of state Pippa Hackett with the pillar banks, as well as schemes such as the Ukraine Credit Guarantee Scheme operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
At the end of last week 118 hectares of new forestry had been grant aided as well as 456 kilometres of forest road. In addition, we have received notification of completion of planting for a further 215 hectares. Thirteen hundred hectares of afforestation (204 applications) have been approved under the interim scheme. I am assured that work on many of these approvals has already commenced and are underway. Approval has also issued for 15,710 m of roads (42 applications).
In addition, those files in the system continue to be processed and will facilitate approvals once state aid is secured.
1574. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total amount of monies assigned to animal welfare organisations for 2020, 2021, and 2022, inclusive, including a breakdown of animals these organisations worked with; and the criteria by which organisations’ applications are assessed. [13457/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnimal welfare is a key priority for me as Minister and for the Government. Considerable funding is provided to support animal welfare charity organisations.
In December 2022, I announced the record allocation of over €5.8 million in funding to 99 animal welfare charities throughout the country, under the Animal Welfare Grant Programme. This marks the largest award of grant funding to animal welfare bodies ever made by my Department.
Awards are made on the basis of objective criteria which are reviewed on an annual basis. These include the level and type of assistance provided by the organisation in the delivery of care and welfare services to animals, the level of funding raised by organisations from other sources to support welfare activities, and the provision of education or awareness raising activities relating to animal welfare. Throughput of animals and rehoming figures are also assessed, along with reports from veterinary inspectors relating to veterinary inspections of the premises.
A common theme, including the most recent year’s funding, recognises the importance of education and dissemination of knowledge to improve animal welfare. Imparting knowledge on animal welfare plays a crucial role in improving standards nationally. For example, raising awareness on responsible pet ownership can help to prevent dogs subsequently being abandoned or surrendered to charities for rehoming, thus helping to reduce the pressure dog shelters and charities may come under.
The attached spreadsheet provides information on awards granted to the individual animal welfare organisations for the years in question. These organisations provide for the care and welfare of a broad range of animals. The attached spreadsheet also references those animal where the majority of the individual organisations resources are focused.
Details of these individual award are also made available to the public on announcement:
gov.ie - Minister McConalogue announced record animal welfare charities funding (www.gov.ie)
1575. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown by month and, of all greyhound drug testing from January 2020 to date in 2022, in tabular form as a percentage of starters at each track. [13458/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
1576. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details on the total amount spent by his Department and public bodies that operate under his remit on developing and upgrading recreational amenities in forested areas. [13459/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
My Department makes payments for developing and upgrading recreational amenities in forested areas under two schemes - The Neighbourwood Scheme and the Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme.
The NeighbourWood Scheme supports the development of attractive close-to-home woodland amenities (or ‘neighbourwoods’) for public use and enjoyment. The scheme is available to both public and private landowners, working in partnership with local communities. Funding is available under this scheme for the installation and upgrade of recreational facilities in forested areas.
The Creation of Woodland on Public Lands Scheme aims to encourage Public Bodies to establish new native woodlands on suitable bare land. There are four grant elements to the scheme, two for planting and two for recreational facilities. The recreational elements are Element 3 Trails and Signage and Element 4 Forest Playgrounds.
Payments made under these schemes in 2022 and 2021 are outlined in the tables below.
|
Scheme |
2022 |
2021 |
|
Neighbourwood |
€ 45,600 |
€ 7,745 |
|
Creation of Woodlands on Public Lands |
€ 51,290 |
€ 0 ` |
1577. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a number of concerns from a farming organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13524/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI'm delighted to say that TAMS continues the priority attached to supporting young farmers. A grant rate of 60% is available under the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme on all eligible investments as opposed to the grant rate of 40% available under the Dairy Equipment Scheme. This continues my commitment to achieving the inter-generational renewal which is needed in Irish agriculture.
For applicants under the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme (YFCIS) and also for registered farm partnerships involving a young farmer, the limit on cow numbers for the preceding year is set at 160 dairy cows. For those applicants under the YFCIS who have between 121 and 160 cows, there will be a requirement that they may not increase cow numbers for five years following payment of grant-aid on the milking machine. I can also confirm that the limit relates only to the milking machine investments and does not apply to any other investments under any of the 10 Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Schemes (TAMS 3) that are being put in place. Over 78% of dairy herds will remain eligible to apply for milking machine investments under the 120 cow ceiling, based on 2021 data and the average dairy herd has 90 dairy cows.
This requirement is being introduced to encourage dairy farmers to invest in environmentally and animal welfare beneficial structures. Ireland’s SWOT Analysis and Needs Assessment for the CAP strategic plan identified the need to increase environmental efficiency in the agricultural sector through on farm investment and the adoption of new technologies; the need to support young farmers in accessing finance so they are in a better position to invest in and develop their farm enterprise; and the need to improve animal health and welfare, and farm safety on farms.
When a farmer is planning to update their system, investment in the milking machine is only a portion of the required investment. It is important that dairy farmers also invest in animal housing, slurry storage, fodder storage and making their holding more accessible. To this end, TAMS is designed to encourage farmers to invest in these animal welfare and environmentally beneficial investments before investing in additional milking equipment. In addition to the investments being carried over from TAMS II there is a wide range of additional investments being introduced for farmers, including farm roadways, bovine fencing, health and fertility monitoring systems, automatic drafting systems, public road underpasses and milk recording systems, to name just a few.
1578. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an update on the Working Group set up to look at the Control of Dogs Act 1986 in relation to protection of sheep and lambs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13544/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious that sheep worrying is a serious issue that can have a devastating impact on the farming community. Some 2.5 million lambs will be born on farms all over Ireland this springtime and these flocks are very vulnerable to dog attacks at this critical time, and especially during the night.
Against the background of a number of recent well publicised dog attacks on children and on livestock, I and the Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, have established a working group on the control of dogs.
The terms of reference of the group are published at gov.ie - Working Group on Control of Dogs (www.gov.ie).
The Group is composed of officials from my Department, the Department of Rural and Community Development, representatives of the County and City Managers Association, including representatives of local authority dog wardens and veterinary inspectors, and representatives of An Garda Síochána.
This group has now held six meetings and will continue to meet regularly in the coming weeks.
The working group has examined issues related to dog control and made recommendations for actions to address this problem including ones specifically on sheep worrying. Minister Humphreys and I have considered this report and I will be bringing a Memorandum to Government shortly on these recommendations.
The Deputy may be aware that the Department of Rural and Community Development are the lead department in relation to control of dogs. A public consultation was carried out by that Department on the subject of dog control in 2021. The results have been published on the DRCD website. The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) has also outlined its policy concerns on the subject of dog control and sheep worrying.
.By law, every dog must be microchipped and the possession, movement, sale or supply of an unchipped dog is an offence. Additionally, owners of dogs must also have a licence for their animals. I am committed to working with Minister Humphreys to improve enforcement of the laws applicable to dogs.
On a general welfare point, I would advise anyone concerned about incidents of animal neglect or cruelty that they can contact my Department's animal welfare helpline by phone or the dedicated animal welfare email address: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379. Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
1579. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13587/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, in December 2018, following a public consultation process, the Minister announced that vessels over 18 metres would be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone and the baselines from 1 January 2020. A transition period of three years was allowed for vessels over 18 metres targeting sprat to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated inside the six nautical mile zone.
A Policy Directive was issued by the Minister to the independent Licensing Authority to give effect to these measures.
A Judicial Review to the High Court was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy. On 6th October 2020, the High Court held in summary that the Court’s final order should be, among other matters, a declaration that Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect.
I appealed the decision of the High Court to the Court of Appeal. While the Court of Appeal issued an unapproved judgment on July 19th , 2022 which was substantially in the State’s favour, it required further submissions from both parties.
As the Deputy is also aware, the Court of Appeal issued a final judgment on 10th March last, stating that the applicant fishers were successful on ‘the narrowest of grounds’.
I am currently consulting with legal advisors to consider the implications of the judgment and the possible next steps.
